Over the next two weeks, Apopka’s campaign season will move from news releases, social media posts, and yard signs into the public spotlight.
Between February 3 and 12, four debates and candidate forums will give voters an opportunity to compare candidates side by side and hear how they plan to lead the city.
The events — hosted by community organizations, media outlets, and advocacy groups — reflect heightened public interest in local leadership and policy direction, with strong early demand already forcing at least one debate to move to a larger venue.
February 3: Apopka mayoral debate moves to Apopka High School after high ticket demand
The Apopka Chief and WESH 2 News will co-host the first mayoral debate on February 3, featuring Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore, Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson, and Apopka City Commissioner Nick Nesta.
Originally scheduled at the Highland Manor, the debate was moved to the Apopka High School Performing Arts Center after tickets sold out quickly due to unexpectedly high public demand. The new venue, located at 555 W. Martin St., can seat more than 800 people.
The debate will run from 5:30 to 7 pm, with doors opening at 5 pm Tickets are free but required, and the event will also be livestreamed by WESH 2 for those unable to attend.
The debate will be co-moderated by The Apopka Chief Publisher, JC Derrick, and WESH 2 political reporter Greg Fox, a seven-time Emmy Award winner.
February 5: Farmworker forum offers early chance to meet candidates
Two days later, on February 5, Apopka voters will have a more intimate opportunity to meet candidates at a community forum hosted by the Farmworker Association of Florida.
The event will be held at the FWAF Building in Apopka beginning at 5:30 pm and is open to the public. Organizers encourage residents to register in advance using an online sign-up form.
The forum is designed to allow voters to hear directly from candidates in a community-centered setting ahead of early voting. All 10 candidates are invited to attend and answer questions in a more town hall-like setting.
February 9 and February 12: Apopka Involved Voters hosts mayor and commission forums
The following week, Apopka Involved Voters will host two additional candidate forums at Victory Church, located at 509 S. Park Ave.
- February 9: Mayoral candidates forum
- February 12: City Commission candidates forum
Both forums begin at 7 pm and are open to the public.
“The forums will apprise Apopka voters which candidate’s platform best aligns with their view of a community based on a sustainable quality of life,” Apopka Involved Voters said in a statement.
The forums will be moderated by Dr. Hank Dunn and held before a live audience. Both events will also be livestreamed for residents unable to attend in person.
Watch the Mayor Forum and City Commission Forum here:
In a city where local elections are often decided by narrow margins and low turnout, the unusually busy debate schedule is more than just a calendar quirk — it’s a sign of heightened civic energy. With growth, infrastructure, transparency, and quality of life all looming large in this year’s races, these forums offer voters something increasingly rare: the chance to hear candidates side by side, unfiltered, and on the record. As ballots begin to move and minds begin to settle, how candidates perform in these rooms — and how many voters show up to watch — may help determine not just who wins in March, but what kind of leadership Apopka chooses next.
Key Points:
- Four candidate debates and forums are scheduled for February 3-12.
- A mayoral debate was moved to Apopka High School after tickets sold out quickly.
- All mayoral candidates — Christine Moore, Bryan Nelson, and Nick Nesta — are expected to participate in multiple events.
- The Farmworker Association of Florida will host a town-hall-style forum open to all candidates.
- Several events will be livestreamed for voters unable to attend in person.
